Neurotrophins are a family of molecules that encourage survival of nervous tissue. Neurotrophic factors are secreted by cells in a neurons target field, and act by prohibiting the neuron from apoptosis. In this way, excess neurons are removed. In biology, apoptosis (from the Greek words apo = from and ptosis = falling, pronounced ap-a-tow-sis[1]) is one of the main types of programmed cell death (PCD). ...
The neurotrophin family include nerve growth factors (NGF), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT-4). There are two classes of receptors, p75 and the Tyrosine kinases. p75 is a low affinity neurotrophin receptor, to which all neurotrophins bind. The Tyrosine kinases include TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC, and will only bind with specific neurotrophins, but with a much higher affinity. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is exactly as it states; a neurotrophic factor usually derived in the brain. ... Tyrosine kinases are a subclass of protein kinase, see there for the principles of protein phosphorylation A tyrosine kinase (EC 2. ... Tyrosine kinases are a subclass of protein kinase, see there for the principles of protein phosphorylation A tyrosine kinase (EC 2. ...
Neurotrophicfactors also are capable of making damaged neurons regrow their processes in a test tube and in animal models.
Neurotrophicfactors exert their effects on neurons through several receptors -- proteins on the surface of cells into which neurotrophicfactors fit much the way a key fits a lock.
In the brain, a neurotrophicfactor is released by a neuron or a support cell, such as an astrocyte, and binds to a receptor on a nearby neuron.
Neurotrophicfactors are secreted by cells in a neuron's target field, and act by prohibiting the neuron from apoptosis.
Neurotrophin-3, or NT-3 is a neurotrophicfactor, in the NGF (Nerve Growth Factor)-family of neurotrophins.
It is a protein growth factor which has activity on certain neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system; it helps to support the survival and differentiation of existing neurons, and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses.